Seaman in Adams County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Seaman
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 9, 2017
1. Seaman Marker
Founded 1887 by John Q. Roads on the Cincinnati & Eastern Railway (1881) and the Old West Union Road (1807). Incorporated 1911. Named after Franklin Seaman who donated land to the railroad for a station. Home of Will Rogers, "The Black King of the Air", the only black hot air balloonist in the U. S. in the 1890's. "Adopted hometown "of Daniel Homer Webster (1878-1943) poet, humorist and Dayton, Ohio journalist.
Erected 1980 by Adams County Historical Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 1-7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 38° 56.488′ N, 83° 34.323′ W. Marker is in Seaman, Ohio, in Adams County. It is on Main Street (Ohio Route 247) south of Tri County Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in front of First State Bank. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17851 Main Street, Seaman OH 45679, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Celebrating Our Heritage (a few steps from this marker); "My Limited View"
this page online
More about this marker. This marker is mis-numbered on its face. This marker was inadvertently given a non-Adams County number, 1-7. There is another 1-7 in Belmont County, 'Mile Marker.'
Regarding Seaman. The Will Rogers mentioned on this marker is not the actor and humorist Will Rogers of Oklahoma. This Will Rogers, an African American, used a balloon to get several hundred feet in the air and would parachute safely back to earth, making him a popular attraction at fairs and holiday events.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 9, 2017
2. Seaman Marker on left under "First".
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 9, 2017
3. View north on Main Street of Seaman.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 9, 2017
4. Billboard across street from marker showing town of Seaman's past.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,350 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
